Rawlins is Bee Network's first Disability Advocate

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network Committee has appointed Cllr Tracy Rawlins as its first ever Disability Advocate. Rawlins has taken up the role to advocate for the needs and experiences of disabled people, ensuring they are represented on the committee, which is responsible for taking key decisions on transport and active travel in the city region. 

The new role was developed in collaboration with Breakthrough UK – which manages TfGM’s Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG) – and the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel.

Rawlins is Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.

“Looking back over the past decades it is easier than ever for someone to get from point A to point B,” she said. “However, in our increasingly mobile society it is vital that people living with disabilities are not left behind. Whether that is ensuring that public transport is accessible for everyone, to making cycle lanes easier to get to and travel on we owe it to ourselves not to exclude people when we develop our transport plans for the future.

"I am proud to be taking up this role and to use my position and influence to improve the lives of disabled people throughout Greater Manchester."

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is also Chair of the Bee Network Committee, said: “This is a key appointment and one that underlines our commitment to accessibility in Greater Manchester. Accessibility is at the heart of the Bee Network and one of six ‘customer commitments’ that should inform every decision we make as we strive to improve public transport and active travel in Greater Manchester.” 

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chair of the Accessible Transport Policy Commission, said: “The voices of disabled people are too often marginalised in transport decision making, leading to our marginalisation on the transport system itself – with many struggling to use services and infrastructure that was designed with disabled people and accessibility as an afterthought.

“By putting disabled people’s perspectives at the heart of the Bee Network's governance, Mayor Burnham and Councillor Rawlins are striking at the roots of inequality in our transport system.”